Quentin Tarantino criticised by Asia Argento, Jessica Chastain after Uma Thurman details alleged treatment on Kill Bill set

Thurman claims the director persuaded her to partake in a dangerous stunt

Jack Shepherd
Sunday 04 February 2018 06:02 EST
Comments
Uma Thurman posts footage of her Kill Bill set crash that she says was covered up

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Hollywood persons have reacted vehemently to an interview with Uma Thurman, in which the actor alleges Harvey Weinstein assaulted her and Quentin Tarantino persuaded her to partake in a dangerous stunt that led to hospitalisation.

Those to have spoken out against Tarantino include Asia Argento, Jessica Chastain, and Judd Apatow, all of whom criticised the director’s alleged behaviour.

“Weinstein and Tarantino, what a pair!” Argento wrote on Twitter. “A serial rapist and a near murderer. It’s no fucking joke what these abhorrent criminals did to Uma Thurman, before and after Kill Bill. They put her life, her dignity, her sanity in danger. Burn in hell you sick fucks.”

Chastain wrote: “I keep imagining Tarantino spitting in Uma's face and strangling her with a chain for Kill Bill. How many images of women in media do we celebrate that showcase abuse? When did this become normalised ‘entertainment’?"

In an interview with The New York Times, Thurman details an incident from the set of Kill Bill. According to the actor, she was warned about a stunt requiring her to drive a car, being told by the film’s team the vehicle was dangerous.

After allegedly telling Tarantino she feared driving the car, the director persuaded her to partake in the stunt. Footage has since surfaced of Thurman driving the car — which she describes as a “death-box” — and crashing into a tree, an incident that led to her being hospitalised and returning to set in a neck brace.

Thurman also alleges that Tarantino spat on her face during a scene and strangled her with a chain for another, all for the cinematic effect the director wanted.

“Harvey assaulted me but that didn’t kill me,” she told the publication. “What really got me about the crash was that it was a cheap shot. I had been through so many rings of fire by that point. I had really always felt a connection to the greater good in my work with Quentin and most of what I allowed to happen to me and what I participated in was kind of like a horrible mud wrestle with a very angry brother. But at least I had some say, you know?”

Weinstein has since issued a statement on the allegations, denying any physical attack on Thurman, the producer’s lawyer even considering legal action.

The Independent has contacted Tarantino for comment.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in